I’ve been wondering along these lines. A student who perceives - thanks to the College Board’s tables - that his New SAT score is weaker than his ACT score would simply submit the ACT only.
This must have been hard for class of 2017 and while the Old SAT will essentially be gone, the question of the ACT vs New SAT and the accuracy of Table 7 will live on as the class of 2018 tries to develop its list with limited/questionable New SAT middle 50 data, depending on individual school websites. When will the 2017-18 Common Data Sets be reported and does anyone know how they will report SAT scores?
I think the College Board shot itself in the foot with table 7. I recall that ACT complained a bit at the time, but not too loudly.
I’m bummed for my 2018 student. Two colleges that she has been considering raised their SAT limits for scholarships. If the CB concordance had been different, she would already get automatic full tuition. It’s unlikely this will be adjusted back down so kids will continue to be affected.
It is more than 2017-2018 senior class that is affected. It affects also some 2016-2017 and 2018-2019 seniors too if they took both versions of SAT. It makes it very difficult to superscore. Nevertheless, the Collegeboard has to make changes to their test as they have been losing the market share. Students taking ACT has exceeded the those taking SAT the first time ever a few years ago. With whatever change(s), it would be impossible to maintain the same score structure and distribution. So they have to take the risk for a couple years. The main strategy is to win more the state contracts for mandatory testing. They worked closely with those states that have mandatory test when they shape the new format in order to win the contract. Once they get those mandatory test contract, there will be a stable source of students taking SAT. They have won over Michigan to switch from ACT to SAT in the MME for high school juniors last year.
IMO the ACT makes more sense for most, given that it can replace both the SAT and SAT Subject tests at 99.9% of selective colleges. Why take all those extra tests if you don’t have to?
@snowfairy137@OHMomof2 is a bit exaggerated, but most (but not even 99%) of those schools that recommend/require SAT subject scores only for students submitting SATI instead of ACT. @OHMomof2 There are several things that may make a student choose SAT over ACT. First, there is a historical regional reason that many people still think SAT would be more acceptable to certain selective schools. Second, some states choose to have SAT as mandated test for high school students. Third, many more schools do SAT superscoring but not many for ACT. Fourth, only one score report fee for all SAT and SAT2 scores.
@billcsho good points. The cost of reports of multiple sittings can be significant (though somewhat offset by paying for more tests in the first place). And the superscoring is certainly an issue for some (though it seems schools are beginning to SS the ACT more now, that’s anecdotal).
As someone from the NE who only knew the SAT, but now in an area where most try both and go with the best, I get the regional thing. I don’t think colleges care, though.
@OHMomof2 I think you’re missundertanding the policies of the schools who require subject tests. The SAT reasoning test can be replaced with the ACT, the subject tests can not be.
@snowfairy137 - In 2015 when D applied, pretty much the only ones (that require Subject tests at all) that wouldn’t take the ACT (w/writing) in lieu of the SAT and SAT Subject combo was Georgetown (dropped from D’s list mostly for that reason) and maybe 1-2 others.
The list of colleges that require the subject tests, period, is very short and seems to be growing shorter.
My D used her ACT with writing to avoid SAT Subject tests when she was applying in the fall of 2014.
Obviously the ACT and SAT main test are always interchangeable, but many schools that require or recommend the subject tests, in addition, accept the ACT/W in lieu of the Subject tests.
Duke, for instance:
or RIce
What really seems to be happening is schools are gradually moving away from requiring or recommending SAT Subject Tests, period. Between those, the regular SAT/ACT and AP exams, that’s a lot of standardized testing. A lot for a family to pay for, a lot to prep for and take, and a lot to be on top of early in the process, and they seem to be acknowledging that.
Well, saying that every school that requires subject tests is like that is a broad overgenerlization and could be a dangerous message to give students.
MIT:
Harvard:
Harvey Mudd:
Caltech:
Most of the college’s I’ve seen that require/recommend subject tests do so for all applicants baring finanical inability to take the test. The moral of the story is to check the requirements of the college’s you’re looking at.
Yep you found a few that don’t accept the ACT in lieu of Subject AND also require (or strongly recommend) the Subject tests. But there aren’t very many of those. Georgetown was the only one in my D’s cycle that she would have had to send hers for, made it an easy one to cross off her list (and I suspect that is one more reason they are not requiring them as much anymore - one more barrier to applying). It may be that the schools that were taking the ACT in lieu of the SAT-S 3 years ago when I was last paying attention now simply dropped the SAT-S requirement for all.
Of course. But check them early because the best time to take a Subject test may be before junior year, as you complete that subject.
Schools that say they “highly recommend” subject tests pretty much require them expect in exceptional circumstances like not being able to afford them.
I could also accuse you of cherrypicking schools in your claim that the ACT with writing can substitute for SAT 2s. Aside from Havard, all the schools I provided quotes for are on my list or my friends lists, and I haven’t come across any with the policy you describe.
There are about 25 schools (maybe more?) that recommend or require subject tests. In addition, admission to some specific majors in college’s sometimes require them. They do represent about 1% of colleges in the US BUT they are schools a lot of strong students apply to, hence why students take subject tests. I never argued that the vast majority of schools require them, just that the policy that the ACT is valid as a substitie for SAT2s is not the case at most that do.
Because of this, I don’t think that, in general, the idea that taking the ACT can get you out of subject tests you’d have to take otherwise is useful for most students.
Edit: some schools (e.g. MIT like requiring subject tests as a way to filter out some not as serious applications, so the idea that they are a barrier for applying goes either way).
I don’t see any use in continuing to argue because you can find anything to support any position in the internet and I believe we both made valid points. My biggest problem with your original statement was that it could lead students to make incorrect assumsions about specific college policies and what tests they need to take. Anyway, have a good day!